Internal combustion engine and method of operating same



July 23, 1935. A. J. MEYER 2,009,065

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME Filed July 2'7, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY July 23, 1935. A J MEYER 2,009,065

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND METHOD OF OPERATING. SAME Filed J u1y,27, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 147747 6 Jjl/r yefl ATTORNEY.

July 23, 1935. A. J. MEYER ,0

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME Filed July '27, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ZZZ 7 INVENTOR.

BY 22% ZU M ATTORNEY.

Patented July 23, 1935 UNITED-:- STATES IN TERNAL COZVEBUSTION ENGINE AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME Andre. J. Meyer, Detroit,

Mich assignor to Continentalv Motors Corporation, Detroit,' Mich, a,-

corporation of Virginia ApplicationJuly 27, 1931, Serial No; 553,333

30 Claims. (o1.'123-'- sr) My invention relates. to internal combustion engines andrefers moreparticularly tothe sleeve valve. types of engines as distinguished from poppet valveengines; although many features of 5 my invention are adaptable togeneral types of engines.

In. engines and. in particular those engines of: the sleeve valve type I have discovered that if the fuel: mixtureis supplied thereto in such a- I manner'asto impart a swirling motion to the fuel mixture. that improved results may be obtained; The fuel mixture maybe caused to swirl by any suitable. means, one of such: means being illustrated in Figure: 2 which shows a sleeve valve 15 means having anintake. port cooperating with the cylinder port: in' such a manner as to impart a swirling motion to the fuel mixture. In many instances a swirl is intensified-by movement of the piston during compression. Obviously meanswhicharelocated exteriorly or internally of: the combustion chamber may be. employed as desired for inducing the fuel mixture to swirl. My invention is not limited to an engine of the single sleeve: valve Burt McCollumtyp'e as shown 25; inthe illustrated: embodiments of: my invention since my improvements are readily adaptable to other engines such as the Knight typev or engines employing reciprocatingor rotating sleeve valve means as will be apparent as the description continues.

Byswirling the fuel'mixture within the com bustionchamber'it has been found that detonation: may be decreased since the swirlingv of the fuel mixturepermits a more efficient dissipation 35- of the heat generated'by' burning. said fuel mixture. It has been found, however, that the swirling of the fuel mixture. in the combustion chamber of an engine causes the fuel mixture to become stratified and thus the fuel'mixture in the 40 region of the cylinder axis aboutwhichthe fuel mixture swirls is relatively leaner than the fuel mixture adjacent the cylinder walls due to the fact that the=heavier fuel particles are thrown. outwardly with respect to the cylinder axis by centrifugal forces.

Usually a sparking'device is employed for igniting the fuel charge in the'engine. and generally this sparking device has been located in such a waygas to initially ignite-the fuel mixture in: the vicinity of the cylinder axis and consequently this. relatively lean fuel mixture is burned. more rapidlythan the relatively rich. mixture adjacent the cylinder walls, thus causing acombustionknock; This combustion knock is: increasedas the" speedLof the swirling fuelmixture-is increased andit has. been found that the combustion knock becomes audible and fobjece tionable under: certain swirling. conditions. Thus I have" discovered that the amount of swirl which can be induced to the fuel mixture is limited by the combustionknock tendency of the engine; I

It is. desirable to induce the fuel mixture to: swirlyat aagreater speed than that amount limited by the combustion knock tendency and 1m in order to overComethis difiiculty I- have discovered that if the relativelyv rich fuel mixturein the vicinity of the cylinder wall or outeriperiplreral portion of the combustion chambeiiis initially ignited, that the charge. within. the engine is burned more slowly and objectionable combustion knock is eliminated or greatly reduced. Difficulty isv sometimes experiencedin efiicien ly igniting the relatively rich rapidly swirling fuel mixture since the time element is in. some: instances not sufficient to insure a positive i'gni'-'- tionof, theufuel mixture especially where the amount of swirl is relatively great. This last. mentioned problem is overcome by the means sho-wnin the illustrated embodimentofmy-invention which provides a sparking: device. str locatedas to generate a spark. in proximity with the relatively richer fuel mixture and the engine;

is so constructed'asto upset the: swirlin one ema bodiment of my invention in the vicinity of. the 1. sparking device or other suitable ignitionmeans so as to permitthe positive igniting of the relatively rich fuel mixture;

The object of my present invention is to"pro.-.

vide novel'methods of operating internal combustionengines especially with respect to the fuel mixture burning and to: provide novel and improved engine constructions having improved operating characteristics,

I'hus I have provided methods and means. for burning a swirling fuel mixture in the engine combustionchamber in such a' manner .asto eliminate objectionablecombustion knock in the" operation of the engine, improve horse-power output, iueleconomy and general enginepera formance.

A further object of my invention-resides? in the= provision of' an. engine preferably of the general classes aforesaidwherein the fuel consumption is materially decreased andthe engine horsepower materially increased, either of whichare constantly striven: for" in: the engine art; Thus I -have discovered thatLby' reason of the swirli'n g ofthe fuelmixture in the combustion chamber; a; relatively *rich mixtureis created around the ou-t-- er portions of the combustion chamber while a relatively lean mixture is formed at the central zone of the combustion chamber. Heretofore in sleeve valve engines it has been customary to position the spark plug at the central zone ordinarily along the general axis of the cylinder and sleeve valve or valves. Now with such arrangement the fuel mixture must be made overly rich in order to obtain ignition of the fuel when the spark plug fires. I have discovered that by locating the spark plug off-center with respect to the cylinder and sleeve axis that I am enabled to operate the engine with a much leaner fuel mixture under which conditions the mixture will properly ignite. Furthermore I have discovered that for a given engine there is a critical position for the spark plug intermediate the cylinder axis and combustion chamber walls where a maximum of fuel economy and power increase is obtainable over common practice heretofore. Broadly speaking, I have discovered that especially in sleeve valve engines the positioning of the spark plug eccentrically or off-center relative to the cylinder axis has decided advantages in fuel economy,.power output, and generally improved engine performance.

This application is a continuation in part of my application Ser. No..531,961 filed April 22, 1931. As one modification embodied herein I have illustrated my invention in connection with an engine embodying the principles and advantages of my'combustion chamber as disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 548,796 filed July 6, 1931. 1.

Further objects and advantages of my inventionwill be apparent as this specification progresses.

Fora more detailed understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several forms which my invention may assume similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of an internal combustion engine constructed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view illustrating the means for inducing the fuel mixture to swirl in an engine of the sleeve valve type,

Figure 3 is a modified form of my invention, illustrating a typical cylinder and associated parts of the engine in cross-section,

Figure 4 is a like view illustrating a further modified form of my invention, and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic chart illustrating the fuel economy and power output plotted against spark plug location.

My invention is adapted for use with an engine of the sleeve valve type as shown in the accompanying drawings which in general consists of a cylinder block l6 having a cylinder II and provided with intake and exhaust ports I2 and [3 respectively. A cylinder head structure M is secured to said cylinder block and is preferably provided with a depending cylinder head portion [5 which is shown as depending within the cylinder and spaced therefrom to provide a sleeve pocket l6 adapted for receiving the upper end of the sleeve valve means l1, said sleeve .valve means being provided with suitable intake and exhaust ports l8 and I9 respectively. The ports l2 and I3 are preferably located below the cylinder head [4 as illustrated, whereby the combustion chamber referred to hereinafter is closed.

This arrangement isbeneficial in promoting fuel mixture swirl in the combustion chamber, facilitating the combustion process, and in being otherwise desirable in connection with my invention. The illustrated embodiment of my invention shows a sleeve valve means of the Burt- McCollum type wherein a single sleeve is given a combined reciprocating and oscillating movement with respect to the cylinder and sleeve axis whereby any point on said sleeve traverses a closed path. Obviously the scope of my present invention is not limited to the specific type of sleeve valve means shown in the accompanying drawings.

The cylinder head is provided with a main combustion chamber zone 20 (20a in Figure 3 and 20b in Figure 4) located concentrically with the cylinder axis and a piston 2| of usual construction operates within the sleeve valve means and may be adapted to be connected with the crankshaft (not shown) in the usual manner by means of a connecting rod 2|. Obviously the means for operating the sleeve valve means forms no part of the present invention and it may be understood that any suitable well known type of sleeve driving means may be employed.

The construction herein illustrated provides cooperating cylinder and sleeve intake ports l2 and I8 respectively which are arranged to impart a swirling motion to the fuel mixture with respect to the cylinder axis A. In Figure 2 the sleeve is moved during the intake cycle in the direction as indicated by the arrow 22 and the fuel mixture is admitted through the opening 23 bounded by the opening edges 24 and 25 of the cylinder and sleeve valve ports l2 and I8 respectively. This fuel on being admitted through this opening 23 is directed in a direction as indicated by the arrow 26 and is thus caused to swirl with respect to the cylinder axis.

Preferably the engine as shown in Figure l is so constructed as to induce the fuel mixture to swirl at a relatively high angular velocity which under normal operating conditions will be burned in such a way as to produce an objectional combustion knock. In order to eliminate this objectionable combustion knock, I have provided a construction which is arranged to ignite the fuel mixture charge in such a way as to initially ignite that portion of the charge which is relatively rich. This is accomplished by providing an ignition chamber 30 in the cylinder head which is offset with respect to the cylinder axis and the zone containing the relatively lean fuel mixture. Preferably this ignition chamber is located near the outer peripheral portion of the combustion chamber 20 and tlie'restricted opening or passage 3| connects the ignition chamber 30 with the combustion chamber 20. A sparking devicesuch as a spark plug 32 is assembled with the engine and arranged to position the spark points 33 within the ignition chamber and as close to the communicating passage 3| as possible. In this manner the spark plug is off-set from the cylinder axis with the advantages heretofore set forth and hereinafterrdescribed in further detail in connection with Figures 3, 4 and 5. During the compression stroke of the engine the swirling fuel mixture is compressed and a portion of the compressed fuel mixture charge is forced into the ignition chamber 30 in such a manner as to upset the swirl in the vicinity of the spark points 33. This fuel mixture in the ignition chamber is in a highly turbulent state and is isolated from the swirling fuel mixture in the combustion chamber and may be very readily ignited especially where,

the: swirl. is relatively great: so: as to' give: rise:- to difficultiesv in properz'ignition off thei fuelimixture;

Ixam thereby enabled to'usez'to: advantage: swirl velocities .heretofore. consideredi impractical chiefly: because of the. usual attendant diliiculties I points.

. Onrigniting the fuel mixturecharge inthe ignition chamber 30' itwill' bernoted-that 'therelatively, small isolatedfuelmixture charge therein is caused to. be thoroughlmignited before the burning charge isinjected into the combustion chamber 20. In fact, the pressure generatedin the ignition chamber is'built up considerably before the flame is forced through theipassage 3i into the said combustion chamber and it, has

been found that this jet of flame will positively ignite the rich fuel mixture with which it comes in contact even-though the same is swirling at a relatively great maximum velocity. I

It willbe thus-noted that Ihave provided improved methods. and means for operating the engine to ignite the fuelmixture in such a way as to cause'the same tov burn. without producing an objectionable combustion knock. Furthermore, with the construction herein illustrated, I find that I may supply a. fuel mixture insuch a way as to cause the same toswirl with a maximum velocity thereby obtaining all the benefits which have beenfound to result from swirling the fuel mixture within the combustion chamber. I

The mean's'and methods by which the above. advantages are accomplished are simple in construction and may be readily adapted for use with any type of engine including engines of the single sleeve valve type and those engines which 3 employ other types of valve means such as with engines having reciprocating sleeve valve means as for example valve means of the Knight type.

Referring now to FigureS I have shown a fur ther embodiment, of my invention wherein the spark plug 32a has its terminals 33a extending into the combustion chamberzone or'portion 27 in cylinder head Ma. I have illustrated the combustion chamber of the general. construction disclosed in my copending application aforesaidwherein the zone 2! constitutes the neck of the.

generally bottle shaped chamber and Z'llav the main body portion or zone. The body portion 28a and the neck portion I"! are connected by.

. the walls of the combustion chamber through an inwardly offset portion 201) off the combustion chamber walls as illustrated; The'portions 20a and I! are preferably substantially cylindrical, particularly the portion 20a, in order to realize the maximum amount of oifset between the portions we and i1 and to promote swirl of the fuel mixture in portion 20a. The cylinder head depending portion l5 preferably has a lower annulus 5w surrounding the chamber portion lea.- adja cent the sleeve valve ll, the annulus [5a overlying the face of piston 2! preferably remote from the center of the piston face. The annulus l5a,

together. with; the piston 2i and sleeve valve H provides an annular combustion. chamber:"portion 15c communicating with the body portion 20a; .z'Ihis body portion is:preferab1y"arranged.

co -axially"with the piston to promote swirl-offuel mixtu'reztherein In Figure B'jthis combustion chamber zone 27? has its axis x r offset an amount'iO frorrrtheaxis Y Y of the cylinder- H; the spark plug132apreferably lying along axis sc -#2 astillustrated. i The'wallf'fit'c, of the combustion chamber pore tions. 2%. and. 2 "i"of Fig. 3,.adjacent spark plug 32min the direction ofthe spark plug from the cylinder axis Y 'Y preferably extends substantially "vertically upwardly from. the annulus ifwawhereby to permit the relatively large amount of' oifset' O for the spark plug. It is customary heretofore to provide upwardly and inwardlytae pering, combustion chamber-walls for sleeve valve enginesbut such constructions necessarily locate the sparkplugcloscly'to thecylinder axis.v The.

I combustion chambers of Figs. l and:% are simig-j larly constructed with substantially vertical walls adjacent the spark plug. V i

In Figure 4 the cylinder head Mbhas itscombustionchamber or inain'zone 28b of substantial- 1y cylindrical form as in Figure 1, the spark plug 321) lyingcn aXiSx 'f-Z' offset at O fromthecyli nder axis 'Y -Y chamber 'Efioxas in Figure 3 without the provision cfthe igniting chamber tbof Figure l. Figure l likewise has its spark plug 32 offset from the cylinder axis Y-Y by an amount 0, the.

spark plug lying along the axis a::c.

Ihave discovered that theoif-set spark plug discloscd in Figures 1, 3 and'e 'is of great ad'- vantage'in engines particularly of the sleeve valve. type whi'clroifer excellent constructions of combustion chamber shaping, location, and swirl of" the fuel. mixture, such chambers not beingham spark plug to" a location. where it is subjected to the relatively rich fuel mixture, such fui-l mix ture may be supplied to the engine considerably leaner than customary without sacrificing power and general engine performance. In fact I. havedetermined that with such relatively leaner mix ture supply the power delivered by the engine may.

be increased and in such instances not requiring the igniting chamber as of Figure 1 although such.

chamber may be used toadvantage as set forth hereinbefore especially for relatively great, amounts of swirl. Thus in Figures 1, 3 and- 4. I

have illustrated typical examples of my inven-- ticn with the offset spark plug and in Figures 3 and 4 theembodimentsdisclosed therein doanot utilize-the igniting chamber.

'I' have been able in an engine of 4 ,12 inch bore to'utilizc swirl'velocities of 10,0001? P. M'; and'in some instances liwoil R. P.'M. of the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber but at the The spark plug 321) has its I terminals 331) extending into the combustion higherranges of swirl there is a tendency of the fuel'mixtureto quench the" spark: At theupper ranges of swirl velocity, especially in excess of 10,060 R. P. lVl..myFigurel embodiment will be found especially desirable and I contemplate utilizing: swirl velocities 'even in excess of 18,000

Cit

I have discovered by a series of experiments in locating the spark plug at varying distances from the cylinder axis that there is a critical location in a given engine for the amount of offset where there is a marked increase in power output with a marked decrease in fuel consumption. In other words at such favorable location the fuel mixture may be leaned considerably without a sacrifice of power and in Figure 3 this may be utilized to additional benefits in combination with the generally bottle-shaped chamber 20a, 21 for reducing engine knocking under relatively high compression. Thus zone 21 offers an initial reduction to the rate of pressure rise for the combustion chamber as a whole, as distinguished from a combustion chamber concentrated around the terminals of the spark plug so that the flame curtain may rapidly spread to all parts of the combustion chamber. This slowing down of the fuel mixture burning as a whole by delaying the initial burning is more particularly set forth and claimed per se in my copending application hereinbefore set forth.

Referring to Figure I have illustrated a chart for horse-power at curve 28 and fuel consumption at curve 29, the vertical axis representing the cylinder axis and the horizontal axis representing the distance at any point for the spark plug location from the cylinder axis and the axial center of swirl. The vertical axis also represents values for horse-power and fuel consumption although these are not specifically evaluated as they vary for a given engine. The line designated as 82% represents the most favorable or critical location for the particular en gine tested resulting in a distance 0 for spark plug eccentricity, this distance being carried over to Figures 1, 3 and 4 as 0, O and ,0 respectively.

I desire it understood that it is not essential to locate the spark plug at the critical 82% position to realize important advantages of my invention.

In general my experiments have indicated that with the spark plug located approximately 82% of the distance from the cylinder axis to the side walls of combustion chambers 20, 20a, 20b of Figures 1, 3 and 4 respectively offers the best advantages. Theoretically the best location for the spark plug would be substantially 100% of such distance or a full amount of off-set but mechanical difficulties of spark plug size, location, etc., and a certain amount of disturbance created by the swirling fuel mixture at the side walls of the combustion chamber and at the spark plug terminals indicate as a matter of practice that the most favorable position is generally as aforesaid.

In each of the embodiments of my invention the fuel mixture is preferably caused to swirl about the cylinder axis, the upward movement of the piston ordinarily tending to accentuate the swirl as the fuel mixture is compressed above the piston. It will be noted that in each of the embodiments, the combustion chambers are located entirely above the pistons as distinguished from the well known poppet valve types of combustion chambers offset laterally of the cylinder.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which any invention pertains that various methods and constructions disclosed therein without departing from the spirit of my invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, a cylinder head structure closing one end of said cylinder and depending therewithin to provide a sleeve pocket, a single'sleeve valve of the combined movement type operable within said cylinder and having its upper end positioned in said sleeve pocket, said cylinder and sleeve valve having cooperating intake and exhaust ports operable below said cylinder head structure, a piston within said sleeve valve, said cylinder head having a combustion chamber in the depending portion thereof adapted to receive a fuel mixture in a swirling condition, and a spark plug for igniting the charge in said combustion chamber, said spark plug being positioned eccentrically with respect to the cylinder axis away from the relatively lean portion of the fuel mixture produced by the swirling motion thereof, said combustion chamber having a substantially vertical wall adjacent the spark plug in the direction of spark plug eccentricity from the cylinder axis.

2. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, a cylinder head structure closing one end of said cylinder and depending therewithin to provide a sleeve pocket, a single sleeve valve of the combined movement type operable within said cylinder and having its upper end positioned in said sleeve pocket, said cylinder and sleeve valve having cooperating intake and exhaust ports operable below said cylinder head structure, a piston within said sleeve valve, said cylinder head having a combustion chamber in the depending portion thereof adapted to receive a fuel mixture in a swirling condition, and a spark plug for igniting the charge in said combustion chamber, said spark plug being positioned eccentrically with respect to the cylinder axis away from the relatively lean portion of the fuel mixture produced by the swirling motion thereof, and means for causing the fuel mixture to swirl about the cylinder axis, said combustion chamber having a substantially vertical wall adjacent the spark plug in the direction of spark plug eccentricity from the cylinder axis.

3. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, a cylinder head structure closing one end of said cylinder and depending therewithin to provide a sleeve pocket, a single sleeve valve of the combined movement type operable within said cylinder and having its upper end positioned in said sleeve pocket, said cylinder and sleeve valve having cooperating intake and exhaust ports, a piston within said sleeve valve, said cylinder head having a combustion chamber in the depending portion thereof adapted to receive a fuel mixture in a swirling condition, and a spark plug for igniting the charge in said combustion chamher, said spark plug being positioned eccentrically with respect to the cylinder axis away from the relatively lean portion of the fuel mixture produced by the swirling motion thereof, said combustion chamber having an offset portion at said spark plug positioned eccentrically with respect to the cylinder axis, said combustion chamber portion having its axis substantially in coincidence with the axis of said spark plug and restrictedly communicating with the combustion chamber.

4. In an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type, a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder, a cylinder head having a portion thereof within said cylinder and having a closed combustion chamber lying directly above the piston, said combustion chamber having a restricted portion positioned eccentrically with respect to the axis of said cylinder, and a spark plug a for said portion. V

5. In "an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type, a cylinder, a piston, sleeve valve means associated with the cylinder, means providing a closed combustion chamber lying directly above said piston and adaptedto receive a fuel mixture in 'a swirling condition, said combustion chamber'having a portion thereof constructed to initia'lly reduce the rate of pressure rise fo'r the combustion chamber as a whole, and a spark plug associated with said combustion chamber portion and positioned eccentrica-lly I with respect 'to the axis of fuel mixture swirl-inthe combustion chamber.

'6. In an engine, a cylinder, a piston, a cylinder head, said cylinder head and piston providing a combustion chamber, means for supplying a fuel mixture to the combustion chamber in such a manner as to impart a swirling motion thereto with respect to the cylinder axis and causing said fuel'mixture to become Stratified, ignition means associated with said combustion chamber and remotely located with respect to the cylinder axis in proximity witha relatively richer fuel mixture strata, and means for upsetting the swirl in the vicinity of the ignition means, said combustion chamber lying directly above said piston.

'7. In anengine, a cylinder, a piston, a cylinder head, said piston-and cylinder head providing a combustion chamber positioned directly above the piston, means for supplying a fuel mixture to thecombustion chamber in such a manner as to impart a swirling'motion thereto with respect to the cylinder axis and causing said fuel mixture to become -stratified,-ignition means associated with said combustion chamber and remotely 1ocated-ivithrespectto the cylinder axis in proximity with a relatively richer fuel mixture strata, and means isolatinga portion of said relatively richer fuel mixture and removing same from 'the'infiuence of said swirl, said isolated portion adapted to-b'e ignited by'said ignition means.

8. Inan engine, a cylinder, apiston, a cylinder 'head, said piston and cylinder head providing a combustion chamber-positioned directly above the piston, nieans-for supplying a fuel mixture to the combustion chamber in such a manner as to imparta swirling-motion thereto with respect to the cylinder axis and causing said'fu'el mixture to becomestratified-an ignition chamber "communicating with said combustion chamber and offset from sai'd'cylinder axis, said ignition chamber being adapted toisolate a portion of said relatively-richer fuel mixture and remove same from theinfiuence of said swirl, and ignition means arranged to ignite said isolated portion of the "fuel mixture. Y

9. In an engine, a cylinder, a'piston, acylinder head, said piston and cylinder head providing a combustion chamber "positioned directly above the piston, means for supplying a fuel mixture .to the combustion chamber in such a manner as to impartaswirling motion thereto with respect ;to'the cylinder axis and causing said fuel mixture .to become stratified, an ignition chamber offset from saidcylinder'axis and having an orifice for i connecting the said ignition chamber with saidv combustion chamber, said ignition chamber being adapted to isolate a portion of said relatively richer fuel mixture and remove same from the influence of said swirl, a sparking device located within said ignition chamber. for igniting said isolated'fuel mixture from which the swirling portion.

fuel mixture in sai'dcoinbustionchambercan sub-f sequently be ignited.

V 10. In an engine, a cylinder, a piston, a cylinder head, said piston and cylinder head providing a combustion chamber lying-wholly above the piston, means for supplying a fuel mixture to the combustion chamber in such a manner as'to'impart a swirlingmotion thereto with respect'to the cylinder axis and causing said fuel mixture to become'stratifie'd, an ignitionchamber offset'from said cylinder axis and having an orifice'i'or con-'- necting the said ignition chamber with said'com bustion chamber said ignition chamber "being adapted to isolate a portion of said relatively richer fuel mixture and remove same from'the influence of said swirl, and a sparking "device located within said ignition chamber for igniting said isolated fuel mixture from which the swirling fuel mixture in'sa'id combustion chamber can subsequently be ignited, said sparking device having spark points "adjacent to said orifice whereby said spark points aresubjected to the action of the fuel mixture flowing into said'ignition chamber during the compression stroke'of the engine to maintain said-points free of carbon. 11. Ina sleeve valve engine'ha'ving a cylinder, a cylinder head having a reentrant' portion provided with a combustion chamber, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder, means for.v

supplying a fuel mixtureto said cylinder in such a manner as to impart a swirling motion thereto in said combustion chamber with respectto 'the cylinder axis and causing said fuel mixture to become (stratified, ignition means associated with said combustion chamber and remotely located with respect tothe cylinder axis in 'proximity with arelatively richer-fuel mixture strata, "said combustion chamber having a wall extending substantially vertically upward from the bottom of said re-entrant cylinder head portion. adjacent said ignition means. I I

12. In an-engine oi the sleeve valve type, a cylinder,-a piston, a cylinder head, said head and piston forming a combustion chamben'fuel mixture'ig'nition means, said cylinderhead having a portion depending within said cylinder provid- 'inga bottle shaped combustion chamber, the' neck portion of said bottle shaped combustion chamber being offset from the axis of said cylinder said ignition device being located'at said neck 13. 111 an engine or the sleeve valve type,a cylinder, a piston, a cylinderhead, said-head and pis'ton forming acombustion chamber, fuel mixture ignition means, said cylinder-head having a portion depending within-said cylinder {providing a bottle shaped combustion chamber, having'as component parts thereof a neck portion andan enlarged bodyportion communicating with the neck portion,;said neck portionbein'goifset from the axes of said-cylinder and said-body-port'ion, said ignition device being located substantially at the top of said neck portion.

14. In an engine of the sleeve valve type, a cyl- -inder, a piston, a cylinder head, said head-and piston'formin'g a combustion chamber, fuel-mixture ignition means, said cylinder head li-avinga portion depending within said cylinder "providing a bottle shaped combustion chamber, having as component parts'thereof a neck portion andan enlarged body portion communicating with the neck portion, said neck portion'beingfoffsetffrom the axes of said-cylinder and said body portion,

said ignition device beinglocated substantially at the top of said neck portion, said piston bounding the combustion chamber at the bottom of said body portion.

, 15. An engine of the sleeve valve type having in combination a cylinder and piston associated therewith, a cylinder head depending within said cylinder, sleeve valve means operable between the cylinder and the depending portion of the cylinder head, a spark plug carried by the cylinder head, said piston, sleeve valve means and cylinder head cooperating to provide a combustion chamber extending generally longitudinally of the cylinder, said combustion chamber having a zone at the spark plug and a second zone restrictedly communicating with. said first zone for. minimizing tendencies toward roughness in the engine during the combustion cycle thereof, said spark plug zone being offset from the cylinder axis.

16. An engine of the sleeve valve type having in combination a cylinderand piston associated therewith, a cylinder head depending within said cylinder, sleeve valve means operable between the cylinder and the depending portion of the cylinder head, a spark plug-carried by the cylinder head, said piston having valve means and cylinder head cooperating to provide a combustion chamber, said combustion chamber having a restricted zone at the spark plug and a second zone relatively unrestricted communicating with said first zone for minimizing tendencies toward roughness in the engine during the combustion cycle thereof, said zones being located within said depending portion of the cylinder head, said spark plug zone being offset from the cylinder axis.

17. In an engine, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with the cylinder, a cylinder head structure for the outer end of said cylinder, said cylinder head having a portion depending within said cylinder and sleeve valve means, saidcylinder head and piston cooperating to provide a combustion chamber substantially entirely overlying said piston, said combustion chamber having an inner body portion and an outer neck portion, the wall of said combustion chamber intermediate said inner and outer portions being inwardly offset, and ignition means at said outer neck portion, said neck portion being oifset from the cylinder axis.

18. In an engine, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with the cylinder, a cylinder head structure for the outer end of said cylinder, said cylinder head having a portion depending within said cylinder and sleeve valve means, said cylinder head and piston cooperating to provide a combustion chamber substantially entirely overlying said piston, said combustion chamber having an inner body portion and an outer'neck portion, the wall of said combustion chamber intermediate said inner and outer portions being inwardly offset, and ignition means at said outer neck portion, said inner body portion being substantially cylindrical, said neck portion being offset from the cylinder axis.

19. In an engine, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with the cylinder, a cylinder head structure for the outer end of said cylinder, said cylinder head having a portion depending within said cylinder and sleeve valve means, said cylinder head and piston cooperating to provide a combustion chamber substantially entirely overlying said piston, said combustion chamber having an inner body portion and an outer 'neck portion, the wall of said combustion chamber intermediate said inner and outer portions being inwardly offset, and ignition means at said outer neck portion, said inner body portion being substantially cylindrical and coaxial with, said piston, said neck portion being offsetfrom the cylinder axis. l c

20. In an engine, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with the cylinder, a cylinder head structure for the outer end of said cylinder, said cylinder head having a portion depending within said cylinder and sleeve valve means, said cyl: inder head and piston cooperating to provide a combustion chamber substantially entirely over-, lying said piston, said combustion chamber having an inner body portion and an outer neck portion, the wall of said combustion chamber intermediate said inner and outer portions being inwardly offset, and ignition means at said outer neck portions, said outer neck portion being substantially cylindrical, said neck portion being offset from the cylinder axis. 7

21. In an engine, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with the cylinder, a cylinder head structure for the outer end of said cylinder, said cylinder head having a portion depending within said cylinder and sleeve valve means, said cylinder head and piston cooperating to provide a combustion chamber substantially entirely overlying said piston, said combustion chamber having an inner body portion and an outer neck portion, the wall of said combustion chamber intermediate said inner and outer portions being inwardly offset, and ignition means at said outer neck portion, said inner and outer portions being substantially cylindrical, said neck portion being offset from the cylmderaxis.

22. In an engine, a cylinder, sleeve valve means associated with the cylinder, a cylinder head structure for the outer end of said cylinder, said cylinder head having a portion depending within said cylinder and sleeve valve means, said cylinder head and pistoncooperating to provide a combustion chamber substantially entirely overlying said piston, said combustion chamber hav: ing an inner body portion and an outer neck portion, the wall of said combustion chamber intermediate said inner and outer portions being inwardly offset, and ignition means at said outer neck portion, said depending portion of the cylinder head forming an annular combustion chamber portion overlying said'piston and communicating with said body portion, said neck portion being offset from the cylinder axis.

23. In an engine,a cylinder, a piston, a cylinder head, said piston and cylinder head cooperating to form a combustion chamber substantially entirely above the piston, said combustion chamber having'neck and body portions connected by an inwardly ofiset portion of the combustion chamber wall, said neck portion being offset from the cylinder axis.

24. In an engine, a cylinder, 2. piston, a cylinderhead, said piston and cylinder head cooperating to form a combustion chamber substantially entirely above the piston, said combustion chamber having neck and body portions connected by an inwardly oiTset portion of the combustion chamber wall, said cylinder head, providing an annular combustion chamber portion overlying said piston and communicating withv said combustion chamber portions, said neck portion bei offset from the cylinder axis.

25. In an engine, a cylinder, a piston, a cylinder head, said piston and cylinder head cooperating to form a combustion chamber substantially entirely above the piston, said combustion chamberhaving neck and body portions connected by an inwardly offset portion of the combustion chamber wall, and a spark plug for said neck portion, said neck portion being offset from the cylinder axis.

26. In an engine, a cylinder, a piston, a cylinder head, said piston and cylinder head cooperating to foim a combustion chamber substantially entirely above the piston, said combustion chamher having neck and body portions connected by an inwardly offset portion of the combustion chamber wall, said cylinder head providing an annular combustion chamber portion overlying said piston and communicating with said com=- bustion chamber portions, and, a spark plug for said'neck portion, said neck portion being offset from the cylinder axis.

2'7. In an engine of the sleeve valve type, a cylinder, a cylinder head having a portion depending within said cylinder and providing a combustion chamber, sleeve valve means between said head and cylinder, a piston operable within said cylinder below said combustion chamber, said cylinder having its intake and exhaust ports located below said cylinder head, said depending portion of said cylinder head having an annular portion adjacent said sleeve valve means and overlying the periphery of the face of said piston, a spark plug offset from the axis of said cylinder and lying substantially vertically above the inner edge of said annular portion of the cylinder head,

28; In an-engine of the sleeve valve type, a cylinder, a cylinder head having a portion depending within said cylinder and providing a combustion chamber, sleeve valve means between said head and cylinder, a piston operable within said cylinder below said combustion chamber, said cylinder having its intake and exhaust ports 10- der head to said spark plug, said wall being spaced from the cylinder axis in the direction of said, spark plug.

I 29. In an engine of the sleeve valve type, a cylinder, a cylinder head, said cylinder having its inlet and outlet ports below said cylinder head, a piston, said cylinder head and piston providing a combustion chamber overlying the piston, sleeve valve means associated with said cylinder, said combustion chamber having a substantially cylindrical portion concentric with the cylinder axis to promote swirl about said axis, and a spark plug positioned above the wall of said cylindrical portion.

30. In an engine of the sleeve valve type, a cylinder, a cylinder head, said cylinder having its inlet and outlet ports below said cylinder head, a piston, said cylinder head and piston providing a combustion chamber overlying the piston, sleeve valvemeans associated with said cylinder, said combustion chamber having a substantially cylindrical portion concentric with the cylinder axis to promote swirl about said axis, and a spark plug having its terminals positioned closely adjacent the wall of said cylindrical portion.

ANDRE J. MEYER. 

